1978-79 New England Whalers Roster
World Hockey Association (WHA)
Team Record: 37-34-9 - 83 points
Finishing 4th in the WHA
Postseason: 5-5
Lost AVCO Cup semi-finals
Preliminary - Defeated Cincinnati Stingers 2-1
Semi-Finals - Lost to Edmonton Oilers 4-3
Coach: Bill Dineen (33-29-9)
Coach: Don Blackburn (4-5)
Location: Hartford, Connecticut
1978-79 New England Whalers StatisticsTeam Record: 37-34-9 - 83 points
Finishing 4th in the WHA
Postseason: 5-5
Lost AVCO Cup semi-finals
Preliminary - Defeated Cincinnati Stingers 2-1
Semi-Finals - Lost to Edmonton Oilers 4-3
Coach: Bill Dineen (33-29-9)
Coach: Don Blackburn (4-5)
Location: Hartford, Connecticut
1978-79 New England Whalers Results
The New England Whalers of the World Hockey Association ended the 1978-79 season with a record of 37 wins and 34 losses and 9 ties for 83 points, finishing fourth in the WHA. The team compiled a postseason mark of 5-5.
The Whalers netted 298 goals and conceded 287. Mark Howe scored 42 goals for New England, while Andre Lacroix tallied 30 or more, too. Mark Howe recorded 65 assists. John Garrett topped the squad with 20 wins, and Al Smith added 15 or more victories as well. Al Smith earned a 3.31 goals against average, pacing goalies with significant playing time.
Bill Dineen and Don Blackburn coached the team. The 1978-79 New England Whalers lost in the AVCO Cup semi-finals.
Click on column headings to sort.
| Player | Pos. | Birth Date | Height | Weight | S/C | Hometown |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mike Antonovich | C | October 18, 1951 | 5'8" | 155 | L | Calumet, MN USA |
| Jeff Brubaker | L | February 24, 1958 | 6'2" | 207 | L | Hagerstown, MD USA |
| Jack Carlson | L | August 23, 1954 | 6'3" | 205 | L | Virginia, MN USA |
| Jordy Douglas | L | January 20, 1958 | 6'0" | 200 | L | Winnipeg, MB Canada |
| John Garrett | G | June 17, 1951 | 5'8" | 175 | L | Trenton, ON Canada |
| Al Hangsleben | D | February 22, 1953 | 6'1" | 195 | L | Warroad, MN USA |
| Gordie Howe | R | March 31, 1928 | 6'0" | 205 | R | Floral, SK Canada |
| Mark Howe | D | May 28, 1955 | 5'11" | 185 | L | Detroit, MI USA |
| Marty Howe | D | February 18, 1954 | 6'1" | 195 | L | Detroit, MI USA |
| Dave Inkpen | D | September 4, 1954 | 6'0" | 195 | R | Edmonton, AB Canada |
| Dave Keon | C | March 22, 1940 | 5'9" | 165 | L | Rouyn-Noranda, QC Canada |
| Andre Lacroix | C | June 5, 1945 | 5'8" | 175 | L | Lauzon, QC Canada |
| Rick Ley | D | November 2, 1948 | 5'9" | 190 | L | Orillia, ON Canada |
| George Lyle | L | November 24, 1953 | 6'2" | 205 | L | Edmonton, AB Canada |
| John McKenzie | R | December 12, 1937 | 5'9" | 175 | R | High River, AB Canada |
| Warren Miller | R | January 1, 1954 | 6'0" | 180 | R | South St. Paul, MN USA |
| Larry Pleau | C | January 29, 1947 | 6'1" | 190 | L | Lynn, MA USA |
| Ron Plumb | D | July 17, 1950 | 5'10" | 175 | L | Kingston, ON Canada |
| Gordie Roberts | D | October 2, 1957 | 6'1" | 195 | L | Detroit, MI USA |
| Mike Rogers | C | October 24, 1954 | 5'9" | 170 | L | Calgary, AB Canada |
| Pierre Roy | D | March 12, 1952 | 6'0" | 175 | L | Amos, QC Canada |
| Brad Selwood | D | March 18, 1948 | 6'1" | 200 | L | Leamington, ON Canada |
| Al Smith | G | November 10, 1945 | 6'1" | 200 | L | Toronto, ON Canada |
| Blaine Stoughton | R | March 13, 1953 | 5'11" | 185 | R | Gilbert Plains, MB Canada |
| Jim Warner | R | March 26, 1954 | 5'11" | 180 | R | St. Paul, MN USA |
